/ Teenager who sexually assaulted five women and girls sentenced

A teenager who sexually assaulted five women and girls in one week has been sentenced.

The 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted five counts of sexual assault by touching.

At Manchester Crown Court on Friday 21 December 2012, he was sentenced to a three year youth rehabilitation order, a 12-month curfew with electronic tag in effect between 8.30pm and 7am, a supervision order and must sign the Sex Offender's Register for the next two-and-a-half years.

The teenager committed the following offences:

- He sexually assaulted a 20-year-old woman on Fairbank Avenue, Moss Side, on 5 August 2012.
- At about 4.50am on Saturday 4 August 2012, he sexually assaulted two women, both aged 18, on Barnhill Street.
- He targeted his first two victims on 31 July 2012, when he attacked a 17-year-old girl on Princess Street and a 24-year-old woman on Dorset Avenue.

As part of the investigation police made a media appeal and issued CCTV images of the suspect. Two members of the public contacted police and provided information that led to his arrest. Police also recovered clothing similar to that described by some of his victims.

Detective Inspector Theresa Carter, said: "It is obviously upsetting to see someone so young being responsible for a spate of what are quite serious sex offences.

"At the time they were being committed there was obvious worry within the community. We had a dedicated team responding to these incidents and with the public's help we were able to identify him and bring him to justice.

"Given his age and the nature of his offending he will have the appropriate professionals working with him throughout his period of his sentence. I hope that he engages with them, acknowledges what he has done and is able to reform."